Land Use and Conservation Practices Affect Stream Water Quality in the Red Cedar Watershed

Abstract

Nutrient pollution (nitrogen and phosphorus) results in harmful blue-green algae blooms in surface water across much of the United States causing a variety of environmental, recreational, and potential health issues (EPA 2023). The Red Cedar Watershed is a prime example of this widespread problem. Numerous water bodies throughout the watershed are designated as impaired as a result of nutrient runoff leading to harmful cyanobacteria blooms (WI DNR 2022). Nutrient rich runoff enters surface water from diffuse sources into headwater streams and ultimately flows into lakes Tainter and Menomin via the Hay and Red Cedar rivers.